Doc Holliday 23 Year Bourbon 750ML

Doc Holliday 23 Year Bourbon 750ML is a 23-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 96 proof (48% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. With over two decades of barrel aging, this expression belongs to a rarefied category of extra-aged American whiskey where extended oak maturation drives remarkable depth and complexity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48%  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 23 Years  |  Proof: 96

Production & Heritage

Doc Holliday 23 Year Bourbon is a Kentucky straight bourbon that has spent a full 23 years maturing in new charred American oak barrels, as required by bourbon's legal standards. That duration of aging in Kentucky's climate — where hot summers and cold winters drive aggressive barrel interaction — means substantial wood extraction and evaporative loss, making each remaining bottle increasingly scarce. The decision to bottle at 96 proof rather than cask strength or a lower proof point suggests a deliberate balancing act, retaining enough intensity to showcase the barrel's influence while keeping the spirit approachable.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep, well-developed oak dominates the nose, followed by layers of dark dried fruit, old leather, and pipe tobacco. Underneath, there are suggestions of caramel turned almost to toffee brittle and a faint, antique vanillin quality that comes from decades in wood.

Taste: The entry is rich and mouth-coating, with bittersweet dark chocolate and toasted walnut arriving immediately. At mid-palate, mature oak tannins assert themselves alongside stewed dark cherry and a leathery, almost savory quality. A thread of warm baking spice — clove and black pepper — keeps things dynamic rather than one-dimensional.

Finish: Long and drying, with lingering tannin structure, espresso-like roast, and traces of dried tobacco leaf. The oak resonance stays well after the sip, gradually fading into a subtle sweetness reminiscent of old maple.

How to Drink Doc Holliday 23 Year

A bourbon aged this long deserves to be experienced neat or with just a few drops of water to open the dense oak layers. If served on the rocks, use a single large cube to slow dilution and allow the flavors to unfold gradually.

For cocktail use, the concentrated wood character and proof make it suitable for spirit-forward preparations. An Old Fashioned benefits from the bourbon's deep tannin and bittersweet profile, requiring minimal sweetener. A Boulevardier pairs the heavy oak with Campari's bitterness for a brooding, complex drink. A Manhattan made with sweet vermouth will complement the dried fruit and spice notes already present in the whiskey.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who appreciates extra-aged expressions
• Anchoring a tasting flight comparing long-aged Kentucky bourbons side by side
• Celebrating a milestone event where the 23-year age statement carries symbolic weight
• Adding a rare, conversation-starting bottle to a home whiskey library

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Doc Holliday 23 Year taste like? It delivers an intensely oak-driven profile with dark chocolate, dried cherry, leather, and baking spice, reflecting its 23 years of barrel aging. The finish is long and tannic with espresso-like roast and subtle residual sweetness.

How does Doc Holliday 23 Year compare to Elijah Craig 23 Year? Both are 23-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons, but they differ in proof — Elijah Craig 23 Year is typically bottled at 90 proof compared to Doc Holliday's 96 proof, which can translate to a bolder, more assertive palate at the same age. Availability for both is limited, as very few bourbon producers release whiskey at this age.

Is Doc Holliday 23 Year good for sipping neat? Yes, neat is the ideal way to experience it. The 96 proof provides enough intensity to carry the complex aged character without being overpowering.

Where is Doc Holliday 23 Year made? Doc Holliday 23 Year Bourbon is produced in Kentucky, the heartland of American bourbon production, where the state's limestone-filtered water and seasonal temperature swings create ideal aging conditions.

What foods pair well with Doc Holliday 23 Year? Dark chocolate truffles complement the bourbon's bittersweet oak tones. Aged sharp cheddar mirrors its tannic structure. Smoked brisket stands up to the whiskey's intensity. Pecan pie echoes its toasted nut and caramel notes. A charcuterie board with dried figs and walnuts bridges the dried fruit and savory leather qualities.

What sizes does Doc Holliday 23 Year come in? Doc Holliday 23 Year Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Doc Holliday 23 Year worth the price? Doc Holliday 23 Year positions as an ultra-premium bourbon, and its price reflects the rarity inherent in holding bourbon stock for over two decades — barrel loss through evaporation (the "angel's share") and the opportunity cost of extended aging make 23-year-old bourbon genuinely scarce.

Why Doc Holliday 23 Year?

Very few Kentucky bourbons reach 23 years of age. The extended maturation required means significant evaporative loss, tying up warehouse space and capital for more than two decades — a commitment most distillers are unwilling or unable to make. At 96 proof, this expression retains enough backbone to showcase the full arc of what two-plus decades in charred oak produce, from deep tannic structure to concentrated dried fruit and dark chocolate. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking the upper reaches of bourbon aging, Doc Holliday 23 Year represents a genuinely rare category of American whiskey.